A civil litigation lawyer in Singapore does two things: works out whether you have a claim worth bringing, and then brings it properly. The first is often more valuable than the second.
Yeo Marini Law Corporation acts for individuals and businesses in civil disputes before the State Courts and the General Division of the High Court.
Disputes we handle
- Contractual disputes, including breach, termination, misrepresentation and questions of construction
- Debt recovery, from letters of demand through to judgment and enforcement
- Employment claims, including wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants and breach of confidence
- Shareholder and partnership disputes
- Construction and building disputes
- Claims in tort, including negligence and conversion
Which court, and why it matters
The value of your claim determines where it is heard, and that in turn affects cost, timeline and the costs you may recover or become liable for.
Smaller claims may fall within the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunals, where legal representation is generally not permitted. Larger claims proceed in the Magistrates’ Court, District Court or the General Division of the High Court depending on the amount in dispute.
We will tell you at the outset which track your matter falls into and what that means for your likely exposure.
Before you sue
Parties are expected to consider amicable resolution and to communicate their positions before proceedings begin. Failing to do so can affect costs even where you ultimately win.
A properly drafted letter of demand does more than open hostilities. It frames the dispute, forces the other side to state a position, and frequently resolves the matter without proceedings at all.
The shape of a civil action
- Originating claim and statement of claim, setting out what you say happened and what you want
- Defence, and any counterclaim
- Case conferences, where the court manages the timetable and may direct the parties to attempt resolution
- Production of documents, where each side produces the documents it relies on and those known to be adverse
- Affidavits of evidence in chief, which stand as the witnesses’ written testimony
- Trial, with cross-examination and submissions
- Judgment, costs, and enforcement
Costs, and being realistic about them
Litigation is expensive and slow. A successful party usually recovers some of its costs from the losing party, but rarely all of them. We will give you a view on the commercial sense of a claim, not only its legal merits, and we will say so if we think the cost of pursuing a matter is disproportionate to what you stand to recover.
Enforcement
A judgment is not money. If the other side does not pay, enforcement options include seizure and sale of property, garnishee proceedings against bank accounts and debts owed to the debtor, examination of the judgment debtor, and in appropriate cases bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings.
Whether a defendant is worth suing is a question best asked before proceedings start, not after judgment.
Common questions
Which court will hear my civil claim?
The value of the claim determines the court. Smaller claims may fall within the Small Claims Tribunals, where legal representation is generally not permitted. Larger claims proceed in the Magistrates’ Court, District Court or the General Division of the High Court depending on the amount in dispute.
Will I recover my legal costs if I win?
Usually only part of them. A successful party generally recovers some costs from the losing party, but rarely the full amount actually incurred.
What can I do if the other side does not pay a judgment?
Enforcement options include seizure and sale of property, garnishee proceedings against bank accounts and debts owed to the debtor, examination of the judgment debtor, and in appropriate cases bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings.
Speaking to us
Nothing on this page is legal advice for your situation, and contacting us does not by itself create a solicitor and client relationship. To discuss a dispute, contact us by telephone, email or WhatsApp. You may also wish to read about our other practice areas or meet our team.